Fibroblasts isolated from the malignant melanoma influence phenotype of normal human keratinocytes

Intercellular interactions are able to influence the biological properties of many types of tumors including malignant melanoma. Differentiation pattern of melanoma cells is significantly influenced by the melanoma-associated fibroblasts but the information about interaction of these cells with other important element of melanoma microenvironment, resp. with keratinocytes, is limited. In this, study we tested the effect of fibroblasts isolated from malignant melanoma on phenotype of normal human keratinocytes, especially on their expression of vimentin, a cytoskeletal protein weakly expressed in normal human keratinocytes. The co-culture with normal dermal fibroblasts was used for comparison. The results demonstrated the high expression of vimentin in keratinocytes co-cultured with melanoma-associated fibroblasts compared with those co-cultured with normal dermal fibroblasts. These data suggest participation of melanoma-associated fibroblasts-keratinocyte crosstalk in formation of melanoma niche.